OBERLIN, La. (AP) — The mayor of a southwest Louisiana town is resigning at the end of the month because of health reasons.
Oberlin Mayor Joseph “Moochie” Manuel said he will resign March 31.
Manuel, 70, who has served as mayor for seven years, announced his resignation after submitting it to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office on Wednesday, The American Press reported.
“This election is this year and I am not running anymore,” Manual said. “It is time for me to go.”
The vacancy will allow Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Smith to become mayor until municipal elections are held in November. Smith is expected to be appointed interim mayor by April 20 and will serve the remainder of the unexpired term ending Dec. 31.
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A special election is not required for the vacancy, according to Secretary of State spokesperson John Tobler.
On Friday, Manuel told the newspaper he will miss serving the town.
“I was born and raised here in Oberlin,” he said. “I enjoyed serving and I am going to miss it. It’s just time for me to get out.”
Manuel said he is looking forward to spending more time with family and traveling.
Manuel said he counts as an accomplishment during his tenure the effort to obtain grant money to continue work to improve roads, water and sewer in the town.
“With the two water tanks now, except for one freak accident after one of the storms, we shouldn’t lose water,” Manuel said.
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